Telford brickie Ryan aims for Brazil challenge
Trainee bricklayer Ryan Stevens may be only 19, but he already has the foundations to be the best in Britain.
In fact, he could be off to Brazil next year to represent his country in the World Skills competition.
Ryan, 19, of Shawbirch, Telford, competed at the SkillBuild National Final at the Birmingham NEC last November and so impressed the judges he was chosen as a potential candidate to represent the UK at bricklaying.
Following the competition, Ryan visited Loughborough University where he was selected as one of the top seven bricklayers in the country by the UK World Skills Bricklaying team.
Now Ryan, who is soon to complete an NVQ Level 3 Apprenticeship at Shrewsbury College, has a year of training with the squad. He and the other members will take part in competitions throughout the year to test their skills until just three are left.
Ryan, who is completing his apprenticeship with Craig Chetwood Building Contractors in Wrockwardine, said: "
To get to Brazil would mean everything to me. I would be representing the country, which would be an amazing honour and experience, and I think it would really help my career. I don't think I would be in this position without the help of my tutors at Shrewsbury College."
For details about construction skills and trades at Shrewsbury College, please call (01743 )342342 or visit www.shrewsbury.ac.uk
